Arabis blepharophylla

RHS Plant Profile

rose rock cress

Other common names

rosy-flowered rock cress

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

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A mat-forming to mounding, evergreen perennial with loose rosettes of obovate, toothed or untoothed, mid-green leaves and racemes of fragrant deep purplish pink flowers in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Arabis can be annuals or evergreen perennials, usually mat-forming, with simple leaves and racemes of 4-petalled white, pink or purple flowers.
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Western N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will tolerate hot, dry conditions and poor, infertile soils. Protect from winter wet. In an alpine house grow in equal parts loam, leaf mould and sharp sand. Water freely when in growth, sparingly in winter. See aubrieta arabis and aurinia trial 2024-2026

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings, or by division in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Rock garden
Patio and container plants
Garden edging
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Trim back after flowering to maintain compactness

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, gall midge and flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and white blister